Glimpses of the Past: November 20, 2025

Compiled by Ben Smith, Collections Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives

130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail - November 23, 1895

The largest train load ever shipped across the continent passed through one day this week for Victoria. It consisted of 17 carloads of canned goods from Boulter & Co., Toronto to Victoria, where it consigned to several merchants. The shipment was made via Owen Sound and Fort William.

120 years ago: The Revelstoke Herald - November 23, 1905

The Herald rallied anticipation for the Scottish concert on November 30, St. Andrews Day. The paper boasted that the programme enlisted the best talent in the city, even so far as the surrounding country. Sons and lovers of Scottish song and dance were assured they could look forward to a “Braw Nicht.”

110 years ago: The Mail Herald - November 20, 1915

A letter was received by E. McMahon from his brother F. McMahon, who had written to him from the trenches. A platoon of Revelstoke’s soldiers had left under Lieutenant McLean in the summer. Within this letter, F. McMahon included only one request, “I’ll tell you what I would like you to do and that is to send me a pair of socks about every two weeks”, as he wasn’t allowed to carry extras.

100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 18, 1925

Mr. W.S Fraser, manager of the Revelstoke Nurseries, opened up a sales store in the city on the week’s Friday. With the store, Fraser pursued their desire to become a florist; cutting, planting, and preparing flowers for his patrons. It would be called “The Rosary”.

90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 22, 1935

Relief camps were established in the Revelstoke district, including at Clanwilliam, and in the Big Bend. During the Great Depression, many men began to protest their wages and working conditions. The government established these camps in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, as a way of helping unemployed men survive winter, but also keep them at bay, and not protesting.

80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 22, 1945

Miss H.M. Duke, who is widely recognized in British Columbia as an artist, particularly because of the many fine paintings she has made of Revelstoke scenes, gave an exhibition of her work in the King Edward Hotel. Miss Duke spent a summer as the host of Heather Lodge, and took advantage of the beautiful scenery to complete several new paintings.

70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 17, 1955

Leslie R. Smith, who joined the Canadian Pacific Railway at Revelstoke in 1938 as an operator, became superintendent of our division from 1952 to 1954, until accepting a relocation to Moose Jaw. Smith assumed the title of superintendent for the entirety of the Saskatchewan district.

60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 18, 1965

The Revelstoke Overture Concerts at the high school auditorium had two breathtaking opera performers take to the stage harmoniously. Sylvia Grant, a soprano, and Alexander Gray, a baritone, stunned the audience with their voices, despite an underwhelming production.

50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 19, 1975

For those who are not yet aware, Mount Mackenzie ski hill was opened by two gentlemen named Paul Mair and Don Sinclair in 1963. Mair being a ski instructor, and Sinclair being a logger, the hill was the perfect sum of their talents. In the fall of ‘75, Mair treated everyone to a free chair lift up the hill.

40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 20, 1985

When the Revelstoke dam opened June 14, 1985, the staff kept a counter of how many people came to visit up until October 31st. In only a little over 4 months, the dam had 41,423 visitors.

30 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 24, 1995

Revelstoke’s very own Santa! Ned “Santa” Clough earned himself quite the reputation across town as a toy builder. Following Clough’s retirement as an equipment operator for Parks Canada, he struggled to be content with his new laid-back style of life. One thing led to another, and soon after, Clough was building toys by the dozen: trains, trucks, and the like. His process was admired by many, and his toys circulated the community for years to come.

20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 23, 2005

The Revelstoke Awareness and Outreach (RAOP) program opened in the alley beside the Regent inn. The modest space supplied those who struggled with mental illnesses, a third space. It was Peter Waters, one of the founders who conveyed its purpose “We fill a large void between when they go to the doctor and the time they spend at home with nobody”.

Photo: Heather Lodge, at the summit of Mount Revelstoke, circa 1950. Earle Dickey photograph.Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 14088